Disposable Pump Module Integrated With Flexible Pouch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flexible infusion containers for medical applications are cumbersome, require additional assistance for mobility, and involve complex setups with reusable pumps that risk contamination and require sterilization, while also having a high environmental impact due to disposable components.
Innovation Solution
A liquid storage and delivery system featuring a reusable control and drive unit integrated with a disposable pump module directly attached to a flexible pouch, eliminating the need for external pumps and supply tubes, ensuring sterility and ease of use, and allowing for portable and versatile operation without reliance on gravity or external pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reusable pump is connected to a flexible pouch via supply tubes, then the system can deliver liquid to the patient, but the risk of false manipulation and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump module is permanently integrated with the flexible pouch to form a single disposable unit. The pump module includes a pump engine, pump outlet, and transmission input coupling, all permanently attached to the pouch. This merging eliminates the need for separate supply tubes and connections between the pump and pouch, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining delivery function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a disposable pump module integrated with the flexible pouch. After use, the entire pump module and pouch are disposed of together as a single unit, eliminating the need to sterilize reusable pump components and reducing contamination risk from repeated connections and sterilization processes.
2Weight of moving object
If flexible pouches are used for liquid storage and delivery, then weight and material use are reduced, but the system requires external pumps and supply tubes that increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The pump module is permanently integrated directly onto the flexible pouch, combining the lightweight pouch with the pumping function in a single unit. This eliminates the need for separate external pumps and supply tubes, maintaining the weight advantage of flexible pouches while reducing system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If gravity-based drip-feeding is used with flexible containers, then the system is simple to operate, but the patient's mobility is limited and additional assistance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical gravity-based drip-feeding system is replaced with an active pump module that can deliver liquid independently of gravity. The pump module includes a pump engine that actively pumps liquid from the pouch through the intravenous tube, enabling the system to function in various orientations and improving patient mobility without requiring the IV pole to be moved with the patient.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system simplifies setup, reduces contamination risks, enhances mobility, and minimizes environmental impact by using a single-use, sterile, and safe disposable unit with an integrated pump module that can operate in various orientations, improving usability and reducing handling complexities.
Implementation Method 1
The pump module comprises a pump engine, a pump outlet, and a transmission input coupling coupled to the pump engine
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a liquid storage and delivery system including a reusable housing (8) comprising a control and drive unit, a container (2), a pump module (4) fluidically connected to the container (2), and a coupling system (6) configured for removably coupling the pump module (4) to the control and drive unit (6). The pump module comprises a pump engine (20), a pump outlet (22), and a transmission input coupling (18) coupled to the pump engine (20). The housing comprising the control and drive unit also comprises a pump drive (34) configured to engage the transmission input coupling (18) of the pump module (4) when the pump module (4) is coupled to the housing comprising the control and drive unit. The container (2) is in the form of a flexible pouch and the pump module (4) is permanently integrated with the flexible pouch and forms therewith a disposable unit.